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Steinhoff sells part of stake in South Africa's KAP to help cut debt

Crisis-hit South African retailer Steinhoff raised R3.66-billion ($311-million) from the sale of a 16.7% stake in KAP Industrial, another step in its efforts to shore up its finances and pay down debt.

Steinhoff, which has more than 40 retail brands that include Conforama, Poundland and Mattress Firm, faced a fight for survival after admitting "accounting irregularities" in December, wiping about 85% off its market value and throwing it into a liquidity crisis.

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The company has said it plans to raise around €2-billion ($2.5-billion) from the sale of noncore assets and the proceeds of debt repayments from its African unit Steinhoff Africa Retail to plug a hole in its balance sheet.

Steinhoff has already raised around $729-million from the sale of stakes in South African investment firm PSG Group, French online retailer Showroomprive.com, as well a property in Austria.

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The company said it sold 450-million shares, or a 17% stake, in KAP via an accelerated bookbuild - reducing its holding to 26% - to raise cash for repaying debt.

The sale was at an offer price of 8.15 rand per share, which represents a discount of 4.1% to KAP's closing price on Monday.

Steinhoff plans to use the proceeds to help fund the early repayment of its $1.3-billion South African bond, which would release money for Mattress Firm in the United States.

Mattress Firm, the largest speciality bedding retailer in the United States, needs a capital injection of around $200-million in the 2018 fiscal year, Steinhoff said in December.

Although Steinhoff has largely contained the short-term liquidity crisis in its European businesses, its working capital remains tight after it agreed with lenders it would not access undrawn credit facilities in exchange for creditors waiving due payments.

Steinhoff has already raised 7.1-billion rand from the sale of a stake in PSG Group.

It sold its 17% holding in online fashion retailer Showroomprive.com for 79-million euros and raised another 50-million euros from selling property in Austria.

COMPELLING INVESTMENT
KAP shares fell as much as 4% on Tuesday before recovering to close up 0.5% at R8.54, while Steinhoff closed down 3.4% at R4.25 in Johannesburg and were down 2.8% in Frankfurt, where it has its primary listing, by 1547 GMT.

Steinhoff said it would keep its remaining 26% holding in KAP which it regards as a strategic investment.

"Steinhoff continues to view KAP as a compelling investment case, especially in view of recent events in South Africa and the prospect of improving economic conditions," Steinhoff said in a statement.

The election as South African president last month of Cyril Ramaphosa, who has promised to fight corruption and kickstart the economy, has lifted confidence among business leaders in Africa's most advanced economy.

KAP is a diversified industrial group selling everything from chemicals and auto components to mattresses.

Standard Bank and Investec are joint arrangers of the accelerated bookbuild.

By: Kim Cloete
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and six countries in Southern Africa has been a boost for the Western Cape, with strong gains for the wine and fishing industries since it came into effect in October 2016. The EPA between the EU and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries – South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland – plus Mozambique, allows increased market access for exports. →